Sharapova Enters Tennis Hall Of Fame With Surprise Cameo By Serena Williams

Serena Williams made a a astonishment – and early – quality astatine nan International Tennis Hall of Fame, emerging from down nan shape to present “former rival, erstwhile instrumentality and everlastingly friend” Maria Sharapova for her induction connected Saturday night.

Williams, a 23-time expansive slam champion who will beryllium eligible for her ain enshrinement successful 2027, drew gasps and shrieks from nan crowd astatine nan Newport shrine.

“There are only a fewer players successful my profession who challenged maine to beryllium nan very best, each azygous clip we stepped retired connected nan court,” Williams said. “Maria Sharapova was 1 of them. Whenever I saw her sanction adjacent to excavation successful nan draw, I made judge I practiced harder.”

And nan emotion was mutual.

“It’s a gift to person personification who motivates you to scope those heights. And I’ll everlastingly beryllium grateful for bringing retired nan champion successful me,” Sharapova said successful her acceptance speech. “We some knew nary different measurement than to conflict our hearts out. ... We some hated to suffer much than thing connected this earth, and we some knew that nan different was nan biggest obstacle betwixt ourselves and nan trophy.”

The first Russian female ever to scope No 1 successful nan rankings and 1 of 10 women to complete nan profession expansive slam, Sharapova was joined successful nan Class of 2025 by dominating doubles squad Mike and Bob Bryan. The copy brothers vanished their reside pinch 1 of their trademark thorax bumps.

Hall of Famers Martina Navratilova, Jim Courier, Stan Smith and Andy Roddick were among those successful nan crowd, wearing their bluish Hall of Fame blazers. Sharapova and nan Bryan brothers besides received a formed tennis racket that is nan hall’s newest offering to inductees.

Sharapova was described successful her introductory video arsenic personification who “combined grit pinch glamour,” and immoderate of nan stylish outfits she competed successful are already displayed successful nan hallway – including a tuxedo-inspired dress she wore erstwhile she won Wimbledon successful 2008.

Williams noted that her rival was nan highest-paid female jock successful nan world for 11 consecutive years – bolstered by endorsement income that surpassed her on-court winnings.

“She showed america each really to return excellence connected nan tribunal and move it into excellence successful business, and fashion, branding and everything that she touched,” Williams said. “She changed really women not only approached tennis, but sports and opportunity. She showed america that you tin beryllium fierce connected nan tribunal and strategical disconnected nan court, and unapologetically herself nan full time.”

Sharapova said her induction gave her a chance to look backmost – thing she tried not to do erstwhile she was playing. And she credited her occurrence to “embracing nan struggles and leaning into nan difficult stuff”.

“When voices inevitably show you to easiness up, to information your edges, dull your ambition, I dream you tin find a measurement to disregard them,” she said. “Compete fiercely. Raise your standard. Set goals that intimidate you. And don’t hide to observe your victories, nary matter really small.

“In giving my life to tennis, tennis gave maine a life,” she said. “And what a remarkable, singular life. And I’m truthful profoundly grateful for it.”

Bob and Mike Bryan speak during their induction into nan International Tennis Hall of Fame connected Saturday. Photograph: Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images for International Tennis Hall of Fame

The Bryans shared a reside arsenic if they were taking turns hitting connected a court, alternating astatine nan microphone arsenic they thanked coaches, friends and Davis Cup teammates from a profession successful which they won 119 ATP titles, including 16 expansive slams, and an Olympic golden medal. They spent a grounds 438 weeks atop nan world rankings.

Navratilova, who won nan 2006 US Open mixed doubles title pinch Bob Bryan, credited nan brothers for keeping nan doubles disciplines from being forgotten.

“Not excessively galore athletes transcend their sport,” she said. “For twins to do it is amazing.”

Bob Bryan said he was fortunate because “for astir of my career, I had nan No 1 subordinate successful nan world crossed nan hall.”

“Doubles was our emotion from time one,” Mike Bryan said. “We loved everything astir doubles. We loved nan strategy, nan teamwork, sharing, and nan highs and lows. Like our personalities, our games complemented each different perfectly.”